The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-01
A CROWDED TRAINS PERIL
A Section of the |. & Y. Railroad Bridge
Over White River Breaks Down.
Is Passing Over, but 1t Miraculously
Gets Out of the Danger in Safety.

There was . narrow escape from f-ightful
wreck on the Indianapolis s. Vincennes road
yesterday morning When the long train that
carried 1900 children to the charity picnic at
Bethany Park reached the west section of the
bridge over the deepest portion of White river
the timbsrs gave way. and the track settled
down until the steps on the car dragged along
on the guard rail- and deep burrows were plowed
in the solid oak timber. What saved the entire
train from pIunging thirty feet down into the
water is mystery. The timbera supporting
the track were completely shattered, and not
enough strength was left in them to hold up a
common road wagon. The only thing that pre-
vented the rails from letting the cars
down was the iron clamps tightly bolted
at the joints. Not single one
of them gave way. Ordinarily they would
not hold up a milionth part of the
weight of the train. The guard rails on which
the steps rested, perhaps had something to do
with holding up the weight of the train. Ger
tany if there had been no guard rails and weak
clamps the rails there would have been moth
ing TO have supported the train.
The engineer and trainmen know nothing of
the narrow escape until after they had passed
the bridge several miles. The engineer says
that when he ran upon the bridge he felt it
trembie, and as ne was leaving it he observed
that the load pulled his engine very hard. but he
did not suspect that it was because the rear cars
were dragging upon the timbers Of the falling
structure.
There was also q heavy switch engine at the
end of the train helping to get the load over
the grade and when it reached the falling sec
ton the engineer noticed that something was
wrong He felt his engine swerve but know
ing that the bridge often trembled under
heavy loads, he suspected nothing serious The
the trembling of the cars was plainly felt and
commented upon by passengers in several OF the
cars, especially in those toward the rear end OF
the train. The Journal reporter stood near the
rear door of the last coach. When near the CEN
ter of the bridge the car began to tremble. and
there was feeling like it was going down.
Many in the car raised in their seats and rushed
to the windows and doors, but they could observe
nothing wrong. The engine in the rear prevent
ed view of the track, perhaps the falling
could have been observed,
The train was running at the rate OF fifteen
miles per hour, and IN few seconds the bridge
was passed Many wondered what the queer
sensation was, but settled down to the con-
clusion that they had only imagined the bridge
was trembling
Superintendent Mansfield was passenger in
next to the rear car At Friendswcod he re-
ceived telegram from the Belt crossing. inform
ing HIM that the bridge had given away. AS
soon the train had left the structure the
bridge Waterman noticed the fallen track and
barely had time to prevent the switch engine
that had pushed the excursion train over from
running back the bridge.
The force of bridge carpenters were put to
work at once upon the structure, and the road
officers state that they will have it ready for
crossing again in few days. All the trains
yesterday afternoon crossed the river on the
Vandalia bridge.
The bridge is old structure. It is of the
old Howe truss pattern, and was put up seven
teen or eighteen years ago. Twelve years ago it
became unsafe. and since that time it has re-
ceved frequent repairing and strengthening. 1t
is understood to be the purpose OF the company
to again allow il do service after being re-
caired. Several times this summer passengers
on board heavy picnic trains have complained
that the bridge trembled, and unsafe, but
they were told that it had been recently strength
ened and WAS perfectly safe.
There attempt made by the company
to prevent the accident from reaching the pub
lie, and when the employees were asked about it
they claimed that nothing wrong had occurred.